Health

September 27, 2017HealthComments Off on Should you wipe down your gym yoga mat to avoid germs?

Image copyright Reuters Any polite gym-goer will wipe down a spinning bike or weight machine after a sweaty workout to stop the spread of germs, so should people do the same for communal yoga mats? Classes and fitness rooms are set to be busier – and sweatier – than usual, …

September 27, 2017HealthComments Off on UK 'eliminates measles' for first time

Image copyright Jovanmandic The elimination of measles has been achieved in the UK for the first time, the World Health Organization says. The global health body classes a country as having eliminated the disease when it has stopped it freely circulating for at least three years. While there are still …

September 27, 2017HealthComments Off on Flu vaccine: Is it more effective if you're in a good mood?

Image copyright PA Can being in a positive mood really make the flu vaccination more effective? Researchers at the University of Nottingham have suggested there is a link between the two. But we don’t yet know whether it’s being happy that causes the flu jab to work better, or if …

September 27, 2017HealthComments Off on 'Obesity and age' among causes of Caesarean birth rise

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The number of conventional births has dropped from 407,031 in 2011-12 to 382,514 in 2015-16 Rising obesity and older mothers are behind thousands of extra Caesarean births, experts have said. Maternity figures show the numbers of both elected and emergency Caesarean sections have gone …

September 27, 2017HealthComments Off on Rise in new HIV cases in over-50s – study

Image copyright Terrence Higgins Trust Image caption Bernie McDade, 67, living with HIV since 2014 An increasing number of older people are being diagnosed with HIV across Europe, according to a new study. Researchers from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control looked at diagnosis rates in 31 countries …

September 26, 2017HealthComments Off on 'Instant' blood test for heart attacks

Image copyright Science Photo Library A blood test that could rule out a heart attack in under 20 minutes should be used routinely, say UK researchers. A team from King’s College London have tested it on patients and say the cMyC test could be rolled out on the NHS within …

Image caption In 2016, Boy Y was sent, by Norfolk County Council – which is responsible for his care – hundreds of miles away to a secure unit in Scotland A teenager who was a risk to himself and the public could not be found a secure mental health bed …

September 26, 2017HealthComments Off on Varadkar aims for summer abortion referendum

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Recent years have seen demonstrations both for and against repealing the Eighth Amendment The Irish government has agreed an “indicative timeline” for a referendum on abortion legislation. The Eighth Amendment to the constitution, introduced in 1983, guarantees the equal right to life for the mother …

September 26, 2017HealthComments Off on Victims win contaminated blood ruling

Victims of contaminated blood scandal in 1970s and 80s win a ruling allowing High Court group damages action This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. If you want to receive Breaking News alerts via email, …

September 26, 2017HealthComments Off on We've had no help – epilepsy drug victims

Image caption Emma Friedmann says her son was harmed by the valproate Families with children who have been harmed by the epilepsy drug sodium valproate are demanding a public inquiry and compensation, saying they have been left with no help. They voiced their anger outside a London hearing that is …